Where your last name falls in the alphabet will determine when you can use the Katy Trail

For four days of the week, residents can only use the trail on specific days, but it’s open to all from Monday through Wednesday.

Groups of runners, cyclists and dog walkers use the Katy Trail near the Katy Trail Icehouse in Dallas, March 24, 2020. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins ordered residents of Dallas County to practice Shelter-in-Place starting Monday at 11:59pm. People can be out for essentials such as groceries, work and exercise, but must practice social distancing. Ben Torres/Special Contributor(Ben Torres / Special Contributor)

Where your last name falls in the alphabet will determine when you can use the Katy Trail on its busier days.

Starting Thursday, the City of Dallas will encourage people to visit the trail only on specific days determined by their last names. The system will be in place for the last four days of the week. The trail will be open as normal to all visitors Monday through Wednesday.

Those with a last name starting with an A-L should use the trail on Thursday and Saturday. People with a last name starting with M-Z should use the trail on Friday and Sunday. The city said in a news release that officials believe its “trail management strategy” will lead to a “significant reduction of congestion” as the city deals with the spread of the coronavirus.

It’s unclear how the city will enforce the policy.

“The Katy Trail is an incredible asset to our city, and I love that Dallas residents want to use it to get fresh air and exercise during these difficult and unprecedented times. But I support the Park and Recreation Department’s approach to creating adequate physical distancing on the Katy Trail,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a prepared statement.

“We cannot allow this amenity to become a health hazard. We have to be willing to adjust our practices and behaviors and take personal responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19 so that we can save lives and get through these challenging times as quickly as possible," Johnson said.

“We know that getting outdoors is another way for families to cope with stay-at-home regulations. Overcrowding and congestion on the Katy Trail make it nearly impossible for users to practice adequate physical distancing,” Jenkins said Monday in a written statement. “Our communities’ safety remains our key concern. We are working together to reduce the spread on this pandemic. We want our outdoor spaces to be accessible and we want visitors to do their part to protect themselves and others.”

Joseph Hoyt, Staff Writer. Joseph has covered high school sports for The Dallas Morning News since November, 2018. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2016, Joseph interned at The News before working for The Ames Tribune and KOIN-TV in Portland.